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Incident
Sheriff C. Roy Kelly was shot and killed by two members of the Barker Gang while investigating a suspicious car at the Davidson Motor Company Garage on East Main Street in West Plains around 9:00 a.m. Sheriff Kelly was investigating the robbery of the McCallon clothing store in West Plains. When Sheriff Kelly noticed a car implicated in the burglary, he approached the vehicle. He opened the door to the vehicle, and one of the men stepped out, pointed his gun at Sheriff Kelly's chest, and fired multiple times. The men drove away. Law enforcement found the abandoned car and their hideout east of Thayer. Inside the house, they found maps and drawings for additional bank and store robberies. One of the suspects was a leader of the Barker-Karpis Gang. He was also responsible for the murder of Chief Manley Jackson of the Pocahontas Police Department, Arkansas. He was later shot and killed by FBI agents. The Barker-Karpis Gang committed violent crimes throughout the American Midwest in the late 1920s and mid-1930s. Members and associates of the gang were responsible for the murders of more than ten law enforcement officers. Please click here to view all the law enforcement officers killed by the Barker-Karpis Gang.
Survivors
Survivors include his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Kelly served with the Howell County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the West Plains community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Kelly.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Howell County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
C. is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
C. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
C. is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1931, 9 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
C. was 45. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39.
C. was 45. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
C. was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 11% of these deaths in MO, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.5%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Howell County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Howell County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, C. among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 2-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Howell County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
